Many people have approached me and asked if I am enjoying my role as President of the Temple. Of course, the answer is yes—I have to say the main reason it is so enjoyable is because I get to interview wonderful members. This week I caught up with Milton Caplan. He and his wife Patti have been members of TBS for 45 years. (more…)
I would like to introduce you to two of our newest members of Temple Beth Sholom, Allan and Mae Margolis. This couple hails from Bridgeport, making a new home in Hamden. Simply put, family is what brought the Margolis’ to Hamden. (more…)
My monthly series, All in the Temple, will return next month. In the meantime, please enjoy this infomercial…
Music plays.
A woman is standing in front of her favorite grocery store speaking to the television audience. (more…)
If you believe in fairy tales, as many of us want to, then you realize that there are “little elves” at Temple Beth Sholom.
In the 1500’s John Heywood, an English playwright and poet said, “Many Hands make light work.” When I first saw this quote, I immediately thought of Temple Beth Sholom and our congregation.
Throughout the year I will be introducing you to different members of our TBS family. This month, I would like you to meet Alan White.
Alan chuckled when I called and asked if he was watching the Giants/Redskins game because I didn’t want to disturb him. “No,” he replied. “I am watching a gourmet cooking show!” (more…)
A committee is a group of people delegated to perform a function.
Going to your first meeting with a room full of people can sometimes be hard. Some faces you recognize, others you don’t. You might smile and acknowledge one familiar face, but now, where do you sit? Is that seat taken next to the familiar person? Does someone you don’t recognize always sit in the same seat? This predicament should not stop you from checking out the 28 committees that cover Temple Beth Sholom. Committee chairs are always looking for new ideas and certainly an extra pair of hands. (more…)
I would like to begin my presidency with a special thank you to Eta Kaplan. I was thrilled when you said it would be an honor to be the installing officer this year. I always admired your dedication as a member of this temple and I will be looking to you for advice this coming year. (more…)
For the past four years, I have been the only person at Temple Beth Sholom – other than Rabbi Scolnic – with a reserved seat in the sanctuary. To put my tenure, first as Ritual Vice President and then as President, into perspective, my three year old son, Benjamin, does not realize that his father is permitted to sit with him during services. Zachary, who is eight, has only a fleeting recollection of the time when I sat with the rest of the family.
I had lunch the other day with an old friend I had never met before. How can that be, you might ask? The woman I had lunch with serves on the board of directors of Camp Ramah in New England and although we had never personally met, our common experiences and strong feelings about Jewish camping and Ramah, in particular, made it seem like we had. (more…)